Sony is the brand to beat in the audio arena. Its collection of cans is some of the most high-performing on the market - perfectly encapsulated by its ever-improving WH-1000XM over-ear headphones that have gained a cult following.
As such, expectations are always high at the unveiling of a new sound delivery system from the label so when the WF-C510 true wireless earbuds crossed my desk, I couldn’t help but feel intrigued. Especially after reading the rave reviews from the likes of Tech Radar (“The Sony WF-C510 are some of my favourite low-cost earbuds yet: the audio is punchy and high-quality”), What’s Hi-Fi (“Sony’s cheap’n’cheerful wireless earbuds are a brilliant bargain”), the Sound Guys (“With good sound, a transparency mode, and spatial audio, these earbuds have a lot to offer) and Good Housekeeping (“They’re tiny, but they still deliver sound quality to match much bigger and more expensive wireless earbuds”).
I am currently training for the marathon so I ask a lot of my headphones. The case must be compact and lightweight to stash in my running leggings, the battery life must be able to see me through 20 miles of non-stop running and beyond, the sound must amplify over the bustling London streets and they must be able to see me through all weather conditions. Are the WF-C510 true wireless earbuds up for task?
Sony’s new earbuds are small, but their concert-like sound makes them mighty. Read on for our in-depth review.
Sony WF-C510 key tech specs
- Dimensions: 2.5cm x 1.27cm
- Weight: 4.6g
- Battery life: 11+11 hours
- Charge time: Three hours
- Colours: Blue, yellow, black and white
Set-up
Connected through Bluetooth, the set-up process for the Sony WF-C510s is almost not worth writing about. It took seconds to pair with my Google Pixel 9 Pro from unboxing. The earbuds arrived fully charge; simply press the button on the back to press to fire them up. They were ready to go immediately.
Design
No matter which of the four colours you pick, these are some attractive earbuds (well, as far as earbuds go) - but that is something we’ve come to expect from Sony. From the chic hues to the matte finish, these are headphones you’ll be proud to display.
The first thing that struck me was simply how lightweight the charging case feels. Before switching to the WF-C510s, I used the Beats Powerbeats Pro, with a case that’s double the size and weight of Sony’s new featherlight option. Not only does it mean that they take up far space in my tiny bag but I can bring the case along on runs as their real estate is minimal in the petite pockets of my leggings.
The buds themselves are also tiny. Measuring a measly 2.5cm x 1.27cm, I was instantly concerned about losing them and envisaged them slipping from my ear canal but there are three customisable tips (the only other thing in the box). Switching out to a smaller size, locked them in place. The only problem with security came during a rainstorm - but more on that later.
Features
The ES Best team is not the biggest fan of companion apps and Sony’s affordable buds are not immune from the necessity to drain your phone’s storage capacity but needs must and to truly customise your sound, it’s a necessary evil.
Through the app, you can customise your shortcuts, dictating what you want to action depending on the number of taps, and turn Ambient Sound Control on and off - whether you want more or less background noise. You can choose whether to prioritise your connection or the sound quality and switch on DSEE technology. The latter is a Sony technology that restores high-frequency signals so that no matter the quality of the audio that you are playing, it is improved to high resolution - so you can finally enjoy the playbacks of that recent concert.
For an immersive audio experience, the 360 Reality Audio feels like you are at a live gig. It shifts the sound from ear to ear based on an analysis of your ear shape for a tailored approach.
Battery life is also where these headphones shine; a whopping 11 hours from the buds alone, an additional 11 from the case and you only need to plug in for five minutes for an hour of juice. Cue uninterrupted listening from Heathrow to Perth and then some.
Our only gripe with these buds is the IPX4 rating. Sweat and light rain have not impacted the sound but during a classic British downpour, there is the fear of them going kaput. What’s more, their security in the ear is affected by moisture, so I found that during the latter miles of my long-distance running, I had to slot them back in my ear every so often. But for the price tag, the WF-C510s are a serious bargain.
Verdict
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Sony WF-C510 Truly Wireless Earbuds
Sony has forged a name for itself in the audio sphere, offering reliable sound quality and excellent noise cancellation in a lightweight package.
New to the Japanese conglomerate’s collection of cans, the WF-C510 true wireless earbuds encapsulate this. Not much bigger than a thumbnail, they may be small, but they certainly are mighty. The case alone is half the size of my Powerbeats Pro, stashing more easily into the pocket of my running leggings.
There is always the fear of loss with tech of this compact nature, but the ergonomically designed rounded buds remarkably lock in place, feeling comfortable and customisable with three tip sizes. The only issue is the IPX4 rating, which will see you through your workout but is not down-pour-proof.
The buds have 11 hours of battery life that extends to an additional 11 hours with the case — but plug them in for just five minutes and you have an hour of uninterrupted listening. Sound quality is where the WF-C510s excel. The buds punch far above their weight considering the price tag. Bass, treble and more are adjustable via the accompanying app, while DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) upgrades the audio of any playlist. For an immersive audio experience, the 360 Reality Audio feels like you are in a concert. They are made from recycled plastic, are free from plastic packaging and come in four chic colourways with a matte finish. All that and they’re just £55.
Buy now £55.00, Amazon
